Women In Horror Month (WiHM) is meant to promote equality and celebrate the great artists both working today and the trail blazers who’ve come before.
As part of WiHM, each year The Twisted Twins, Jen & Sylvia Soska, search out filmmakers from across the globe to make their own Public Service Announcements for Blood Services and Red Cross. Each year has a different theme and the theme for this year is “BE A HERO”, this year is set to be the biggest year yet with a new P.S.A. being released every day.
To help celebrate and promote this cause each week I will be sharing these videos including the film-makers profiles and statements. Now, on with the show!
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| “B(e) Positive” by Joe Magna
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Joe Magna is a Los Angeles-based Writer/Director, specializing in surreal fantasy and candy-coated nightmares. Joe’s creative work spans through Television, Film and Theme Park development. In addition to recently writing and directing the short film “B(e) Positive” for the Twisted Twins’ WIH Massive Blood Drive, Joe Magna will be releasing two additional short films that he wrote and directed, coming soon in 2018. Joe Magna is currently working in creative development on several Theme Park attractions overseas.
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ARTIST’S STATEMENT :
“I celebrate Women in horror month every month. Without the wonderful women of the horror genre, we would have no Frankenstein (thank you Mary Shelley). We would have no Creature from the Black Lagoon (thank you Milicent Patrick). And we would cease to exist. I think these days more than ever, we need to remind ourselves that each of us emerged bloody and crying from the womb of a brave and strong woman. It is my pleasure to be a part of this collection of short films that celebrates the wonderful women of Horror.”
Joe adds on the subject of blood donation:
“Blood is life. It’s in all of us. For most of us, it flows in abundance. But there are those out there less fortunate. Donating blood means donating life. Now more than ever, we need to band together to help our brothers and sisters in need. Not all of us can donate financially. But nearly all of us can donate the fluid of life to help someone else live theirs. It’s truly in you to give . Thank you for donating blood. Thank you for being a true hero. <3”
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| “Be A Hero” by Vanessa Ionta Wright |
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Vanessa Ionta Wright is a filmmaker based in Atlanta, GA. She is the co-owner of Above the Line Artistry (www.abovethelineartistry.com) as well as the co-founder and Festival Director of the Women in Horror Film Festival (www.WIHFF.com). Vanessa collaborated with Samantha Kolesnik, Mark Simon (One Missed Call), David Irwin (House of 1000 Corpses) and Josh Oliver (Oculus) on Rainy Season, based on the story by Stephen King. Vanessa has also directed the short film I Baked Him a Cake and a PSA for the WiHM9 Massive Blood Drive. Vanessa graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Video Production & Film. She is a lifelong fan of cinema, most especially the horror genre. She enjoys punctuality, scary movies, a quick wit, sandwiches, the music of Michael Jackson, Halloween & Bacon Jam. She does not enjoy bugs, clowns, perpetual lateness, mean people, oppression, laziness, running more than 3 miles or curved walls.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT:
I was really honored to be invited to create a PSA for the WiHM Massive Blood Drive. This is a brilliant idea to blend the world of horror filmmaking with such an important cause. I think it’s easy to take our blood for granted. It is crucial to donate. I hear people say all the time “I wish I could do something to help” and this is probably the most simple and effective means of helping others. Giving your blood will save lives and I am so grateful to be a part of such an amazing cause. The theme this year of Be a Hero is so appropriate, because when you give blood, when you save a life, you become a hero.
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| “Sanguino” by Dayna Noffke |
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Dayna Noffke is a screenwriter and director, who has brought her unique brand of storytelling, dark humor, fangirl-infused enthusiasm and obsessive work ethic to Atlanta, Georgia. Her work in the horror genre is informed by her experiences and her lifelong love of film. Her travels have taken her from a childhood in St. Louis to stints in New York, Boston, New Orleans and even Branson, Missouri. Along the way, she picked up a degree in physical anthropology/primatology, logged time on a research project on mantled howler monkeys in Ometepe, Nicaragua, spent a few years as a high school special education teacher, and earned herself a roller derby name.
Dayna fell into filmmaking after a chance encounter brought her to the set of Rob Zombie’s Halloween 2. Within two months, she had written and directed her first short film with a cast and crew full of friends, including Andrew Shearer of Gonzoriffic films. She had caught the bug and directed 9 more short films between 2009 and 2017. Her film catalog runs the gamut from “backyard” no budget fare – such as the well-received 2011 film, MOUSE, praised for its naturalistic acting – to recent projects such as late 2017’s Teaser, a lush burlesque-inspired period piece that is hitting the festival circuit in 2018.
Dayna’s films have been screened at numerous festivals including Women in Horror events, Rome International Film Festival, Spooky Empire’s Film Festival, Buried Alive, VHS, Florida Film Festival among many others. Her screenplays have been chosen as official selections and finalists in screenplay competitions and showcases such as Oaxaca Film Festival, Stranger With My Face and Filmquest. Dayna is currently in development for a horror feature inspired by a classic Victorian short horror story, along with working on new short films and logging lots of time traveling with her family, visiting historical and haunted sites, riding roller coasters and forging friendships all along the way.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT:
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this year’s Blood Drive campaign for several reasons. One of my favorite things about filmmaking is the collaborative nature of the art. I love meeting people, working with other amazing talents and bringing it all together to create
something bigger than anyone of us. This project encouraged me to stretch my artistic imagination and to reach out to new people to help realize this vision, which is unlike any other project I have undertaken to this point in my career.
I love that there are 30 PSAs being released — that we are a part of something much bigger. This is a wonderful chance to meet new artists and to see and support their work. Of course, most importantly, our entire team is thrilled to be supporting the cause of blood donation. I have personally been the recipient of blood transfusions at three different points in my life. I do not know what would have happened had that blood not been available when I needed it. I want to express my gratitude to blood donors and to put a face to this cause.
When you give blood, you are helping a real person – someone’s mother, someone’s sister or brother or baby… Although the need for donated blood can be greater during times of disaster, there are people who are counting on transfusions each and every day. We are honored to help spread the word and remind everyone how important it is to donate blood!”
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| “The Coming Dawn Ministry” by Mark Miller & Christian Francis |
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Mark Alan Miller – Mark has been working as a writer since 2005 when he started as a columnist for OCWeekly. Since then has edited two major novels (The Scarlet Gospels & Abarat: Absolute Midnight by Clive Barker) Released two novels of his own: Hellriaser: The Toll and Next Testament. Written countless comics, including Heavy Metal Magazine, Next Testament, Hellraiser & Hellraiser Bestiary (BOOM! Comics), Hellraiser: Anthology (Seraphim Comics), and The Steam Man (Dark Horse).
Mark’s work as a producer includes animated shorts with the comedy troupe Superego for Nerdist Channel, as well as Stan Lee’s Lucky Man: The Bracelet Chronicles (Which he was also a writer for), and Nightbreed: The Directors Cut. He has previously directed segments for Fun Sized Horror 2 and Virus of the Dead, as well as promotional trailers for Abarat: Absolute Midnight and The Sickness.
Christian Francis – Christian is a writer and designer whose work has appeared across multiple mediums… Well… that’s what he thinks. He’s probably wrong. Everyone is most likely lying to him, and creating fake websites and orchestrating far too elaborate practical jokes to make it look like his work is out there.
He also really, really hates mushrooms and has a weird obsession with hand puppets. Being a good bio, I asked Christian what else he wanted to include here. He told me to ensure that everyone knows that the camera does indeed add 10lbs… Sometimes 20lbs… And as well as this, it also makes you a really bad actor.
ARTISTS’ STATEMENT:
“The Soska Sisters are leading a charge for change. The Women in Horror Blood Drive is a lot more than just getting people to donate blood (which in itself is enough reason to take part) but they are also raising awareness and promoting equality, not only for women within the horror industry, but providing a voice for unknown filmmakers. This Blood Drive is about community, and expanding that community for the good of the industry – the fact it will may also save lives by getting people to donate blood? Well… the questions should be, how could we say no? #wearewiththesoskas”
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| “Red Light” by Lex Lybrand |
For more on Women In Horror Month check out the official site HERE
Raz's Midnight Macabre 